Wells unveils plan to improve traffic safety on Route 1: Here's what's proposed

WELLS, Maine — The town unveiled several recommendations Tuesday to make a key stretch of Route 1 safer, more efficient and accessible for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The proposals are intended for a 5.6-mile stretch of Route 1 in the northerly direction from the Wells-Ogunquit border to the intersection with Route 9 and Bypass Road. The recommendations are the result of a study of the Route 1 Corridor that the town initiated with the state’s Department of Transportation a few years ago.

Town Manager Mike Pardue called the recommended improvements a “generational opportunity.”

“Opportunities of this nature do not come easily, nor do they come often,” Pardue said.

The proposed recommendations call for more sidewalks, new and more advanced traffic signals, consistent widths of travel lanes, and revamped traffic configurations at selected intersections, according to Anthony Grande, the director of transportation engineering at VHB, the South Portland firm hired by the town to conduct a study of the corridor.

“Hopefully, when this is done, there’ll be a nice, long stretch of walkability along the corridor,” Grande said about the proposal for more sidewalks.

The recommendations also include adding 10 more flashing beacons for pedestrians, for a total of 15, and installing new signals at the Route 1 intersections at Chapel Road and South Street, Grande added.

The suggestions also include raising the center-median islands at select locations, increasing lighting, and improving “gateway” aesthetics at each of the study areas, according to Grande.

More: Kennebunk kennel owner, neighbors seek deal to settle dispute over excessive barking

Why Wells wants to improve traffic safety on Route 1?

In his presentation at the forum, Grande shared some statistics about Route 1 that appear in the study.

Of note, Grande identified five spots along the corridor that had a combined 57 car crashes between 2019 and 2021. Those five locations were the intersection of Routes 1 and 9, the areas near Harbor and Chapel roads, and the segments of Mile Road to Buzzell Road and Littlefield Road to Brown Lane.

Grande added that the area of the study’s focus also has had 47 bicycle crashes and 14 accidents involving pedestrians during a 10-year period.

“That’s the eleventh highest rate in the state,” he said.

According to the study, more than 20,000 vehicles a day travel along the stretch of Route 1 during the peak of the summer season, when tourists flock to the area to enjoy local beaches and more. Off the peak season, as many as 7,300 vehicles a day travel along the same stretch.

In describing the conditions on Route 1, Grande said the driveways there are dense, the sidewalks are inconsistent in their dimensions, and the road is limited in its compliance with the American Disabilities Act.

Grande further described the route as generally having three lanes, with occasional two lanes set aside for left turns. He noted the route has limited lighting and has utilities located both overhead and underground.

Wells has 'rights' to Moody Beach: Fight for public access heats up

Wells wants public feedback on recommendations to improve Route 1

Pardue called the “data-driven, solutions-oriented” study a first for Wells. He said the goal of making improvements is to make Route 1 safer for people who live, work, drive, and shop in the area.

“Making the corridor more accessible will stimulate economic development, reduce vehicle delay, and improve safety for all users,” Pardue said.

The town is seeking input from residents, business owners, and others regarding improvements they would like to see along the targeted stretch of Route 1. Now through July 12, people can submit their comments in an email to Rebekah Kelley, the town’s communications and volunteer director, at [email protected].

The study started in October of 2022, and a road safety assessment, a first public meeting, a field review, and a stakeholder gathering followed through the next year, according to Grande.

The public forum on Tuesday can be viewed online in its entirety on TownHallStreams and on the town’s YouTube page.

VHB is expected to finish the draft of the study and present the final report later this summer, according to Grande.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells unveils plan to improve traffic safety on Route 1